Back at it - SHT - Oberg Mtn to Rollins Creek Camp

2020 saw a lot of changes including my return to hiking in a big way.  Due to COVID-19 my usual fitness activities of teaching Zumba classes dwindled down a bit so as an alternative I have been spending a lot more time outside either solo hiking/backpacking or doing shorter hikes with the family.  

My first trip back on the Superior Hiking Trail in probably 8 years was in June 2020 and was a relatively quick solo hike from Oberg Mountain Trailhead north about 3 or 4 miles (somewhere after Rollins Creek Camp) and back.

It was a beautiful warm day and my pace seemed fairly quick given I wasn't carrying much besides water.  

I am uncertain at which point I turned around but it was shortly after spooking a grouse who started coming at me and it seriously wouldn't quit.  Most likely the trail was too close to her nest and she growled at me like a dog and refused to stop for at least a minute (maybe two?) with me keeping her away with my walking stick.  

At one point I did trip and fall down; had it been something more serious I'd probably be a goner.  😅Shortly after I encountered a couple of female backpackers and I warned them and at which point the grouse turned and attacked them too.  They screamed then soon later were like "oh its only a bird!".  

Soon after being humiliated it ceased the attack and everything was fine.  

Having had enough for the day I decided to turn around.   And at the end of the trail back at the parking area I encountered this cute turtle.

Eagle Mountain - MN High Point

In June I took a few friends up to Eagle Mountain in NE Minnesota so we could claim the highest point in Minnesota and enjoy the area for a couple of days.  This is way up there a good 6 1/2 hours drive from Rochester, but overall I would say it's worth it. 

We camped at Sawbill Lake Campground, a very beautiful campground with spacious campsites.  The wolves were out howling at night in the distance on the 1st night and we had quite a show from the fireflies on the second night.  Very memorable, good times.

Regarding the hike itself, it takes about 3-4 hours from the trailhead to the highpoint and back.  Since you will be entering the Boundary Waters you are required to register at the trailhead (fill out the form provided).

The first couple of miles are mostly flat through dense forests.   The trail can be a bit rocky at times though, and bringing some trekking poles would be good idea if you have them.  At several points there are some nice planks over swampy land to cross.  You will probably spot a beaver dam or two on the way as well.  By the way mosquitoes were very active here in June so bring some spray.

The last 1/2 mile or so is where the trail beings to really rise up the mountain.  The total elevation gain is only about 600 feet from the trailhead so it is not that bad at all.

The best views (pic at top) are about 500 feet back down from the high point as the high point itself is densely forested.

If you aren't sure where that is it might be best to just reach the high point and then come back down to snap some photos.  Cell phone service was actually good up there surprisingly.

After the hike and on the way back to the campground I caught a decent photo with a happy fox trotting down the road with a meal in his mouth!

Forestville/Mystery Cave

Location:  6 miles south of Wykoff. Entrance to the park is 4 miles south of State Highway 16 on Fillmore County Highway 5, then 2 miles east on Fillmore County 118
Miles: 1 to 12 miles
Surface: Dirt
Terrian: Flat with hilly areas
Uses: Hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding
Map:  http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00148_summer.pdf
Website:  MN DNR - Forestville/Mystery Cave
Ticks:  Never had a problem with ticks here but it's safe to assume there are some in grassy areas May- July
Mosquitoes:  Low

This is a pretty park with a nice mix of forests, meadows and streams.  There are also some neat historic structures from around 1899 in the northern section of the park.  There are plenty of miles of trails here to keep you busy for a full day if you desire. 

According to the MN DNR this park has the highest horse back riding trail usage of any park in the state.

Morel mushrooms can definitely be found here in abundance if you come at the appropriate time and have some luck.

Note:  You cannot drive into the park from the north, you must enter from the west entrance.  You can park on the northside by historic Forestville and walk in if you desire, or hike along the trails on the north side of the park.  The trails on the north side are frequented by horse back riders however.

Lake Louise State Park

Location:  Mower County, 1.5 miles north of LeRoy on County Road 14.
Miles: 1 to 12 miles
Surface: Dirt, Paved
Terrian: Flat
Uses: Hiking, snowshoeing, biking, cross country skiing, horseback riding
Map:  http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00214.pdf
Website:  MN DNR - Lake Louise
Ticks:  Never had a problem with ticks here but it's safe to assume there are some in grassy areas May- July
Mosquitoes:  Moderate

 Lake Louise State Park is south of Rochester near the Iowa border and features a quiet lake with a small beach with some hiking trails traversing the park.  The park also offers 10 miles of trails for horse back riders.
 
Bike trails are also available and the park is connected to the Shooting Star State Trail.

As you will see in this video there are several rocks by the parking lot near the lake.  :)

Essex Park, Rochester

Location:  Northeast Rochester off 55th St
Miles: 1 to 5 miles
Surface: Paved, Dirt, Grassy
Terrian: Varied
Uses: Hiking, biking, cross country skiing, playground
Map:  Ski/Hiking Trail Map
Website:  RochesterMN.Gov
Ticks:  Never had a problem with ticks here but it's safe to assume there are some in grassy areas May- July
Mosquitoes:  Medium to Low

Essex Park is a small park in Rochester with many interesting hiking trails.   There is also a short bike trail which always you to bike through it if you desire.  For me this bike trail is on the way I would take to get to the Douglas Trail so you could plan to bike through the area if you live in NE Rochester.

You will find a nice playground at Essex park with a bathroom / picnic table area in the summer.

There is a 2nd playground on the NW edge of the park along 55th street next to the apartment complex.   A pleasant walk through the woods will take you from one playground to the other but in the summer the mosquitoes can make the walk through the woods annoying.

On the south side of the park are several fields with pretty wild flowers in the spring and summer.

The park also has an archery range on the SW side.

There are a couple of options for a very short/pleasant loop hike here.  

There have been reports on the internet of people finding morels here in the spring but I have yet to find any at this park.

Carley State Park

Location:  15 miles northeast of Rochester, or 4 miles south of Plainview on Wabasha County Road 4.
Miles: 1 to 5 miles
Surface: Dirt
Terrian: Varied
Uses: Hiking, snowshoeing
Map:  http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00130.pdf
Website:  MN DNR - Carley
Ticks:  Never had a problem with ticks here but it's safe to assume there are some in grassy areas May- July
Mosquitoes:  Moderate to Low

This is another favorite of mine especially for snowshoeing in the winter.  Carley is relatively close to Rochester, MN and offers a variety of hiking challenges either steep or flat.   This is a small but beautiful park with very pretty wildflowers (blue bells)  in the spring.

Since this is a small park, and if you like a challenge, it is possible to hike all the trails in this park in a couple of hours.   The trails cross the river in several places where step stones in the water are provided.

The park in the winter is a snowshoeing paradise as the terrain is varied enough to keep the cross country skiers elsewhere and there are enough snowshoers that go there generally there will be some packed trails for you to follow.  If snowshoeing off trail on the east side it is easy to accidentally leave the park boundary and trespass on the neighbors to the east so watch for the signs.  

The campground there is pleasant but it provides pit toilets only with picnic tables, fire pits and hand water pumps.  Near the campground is a large field which is great for frisbee with the dog, a large picnic shelter and a swing set.

Quarry Hill Park, Rochester

Location:  Northeast Rochester on Silver Creek Road off East Circle Drive
Miles: 1/2 mile to 3 depending on route
Surface: Paved sections or dirt/wood chips
Terrian: Varied
Uses: Hiking, biking, cross country skiing, wheelchair, baby stroller.
Map:  http://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/park/activities/winter/pdf/QuarryHill-Winter.pdf
Website:  http://www.qhnc.org/
Ticks:  High numbers in grassy areas May- July
Mosquitoes:  Moderate to Low

Quarry Hill has always been a favorite of mine due to it's location in Rochester and the variety of terrain you can find here.  The bike path that runs through the park is about a mile or less and is an enjoyable route to take through the park if you are biking in the area.

The hiking trails on the east side of the park are my favorite as generally the trees/terrain is moderately hilly and pretty.  If you hike to the SE corner found in the trail map there is an overlook where you can see the south eastern part of Rochester.

If you have kids there is a playground on the north end of the park which you can reach by driving in on  Parkwood Hills Drive off of Viola Road.  The road out of this parking lot is relatively steep so don't go down it like me if there has been an ice storm.  You may find yourself having trouble getting back out.  =)

I have found morel mushrooms here (about a half dozen in May 2010)

Note:  As of August 2010, many of the hiking trails on the east side of the park are closed.  See this map for more information:
http://www.qhnc.org/documents/trailclosures4-28-10.pdf